Wheel tread refacer



May l0, 1932. c. P. KIMMEL 1,857,457

WHEEL TREAD REFACER Filed May 5. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May .10, 1932. Q P, KIMMEL 1,857,457

WHEEL TREAD REFACER Filed May 5. l195o 2 sheds-sheet 2 Patented May 10, 1932 oHARLs k P. RIMMEL, or GARY, INDIANA WHEEL Tanni) REFAGER Y Applicationlled May 5,

My invention relates to means for refacing the treads of car wheelsl and vparticularly to mechanism adapted to operate on car wheels without removing them from the truck, and

a' without removing the truck from beneath the car.

It is well known that railway car wheels become worn in service and develop defects such as fiat spots, shelling, thin flanges, etc.,

and the upkeep of the cars requiresfrequent removal of the wheels for refacing. The com mon practice is to remove the wheels and axle transfer them to a shop, install them in a special lathe and .reform the treads and anges. However, this involves considerable expense not only'of labor in removing or replacing the wheels and axle, but in loss of service of the cars. z o My invention relates to a mechanism so designed that the wheels may be refaced, either by turning or grinding, without removing them from their association with thetruck. This involves a lifting of the weight of the 'car which is normally transmitted to the axle through' the journal box, then centering the axle and slightly raising the wheels 4from contact with the track. By the application of a simple gear or sprocket to the axle, means are provided for connecting it to a motor. whereby the wheels may be rotated.V A cutting tool is then applied to the tread and fiange ofthe wheel in accordance with a gauge of the proper contour.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which o Fig. 1 is a plan View ofv mechanism ar ranged in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partlyin section, the view beingtaken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and j Fig. 3 is an end view of the tool holding and feeding mechanism, a plan viewv of which is provided at the right hand portion of Fig. 1.

The drawings showthat I have illustrated only one mechanism although preferably two of such mechanisms, one at each side of the car are necessary forthe proper carrying out of the idea.v I may also prefer to provide anltion and prevent rotation of the stock when 1930. serial No. 449,881.

other,y pair ,of such mechanisms located in lat# erally spaced relation in order that the turning may be accomplished on the opposite portion of the wheel.L However, for the purpose of describing vand claiming my invention, I have conceived it necessary'to illustrate only one of such mechanisms.

The device of my invention comprises a base or bed 10, which may be located ata con-y venient point alongside lof a switch track, and securely'mounted. .i i

The part of the mechanism corresponding n to the tail stock of a lathe consists of a bedplate 11 adapted to be clamped .in a desired position by means of the bolts 12. Above this platel is a laterallyA guided' plate 13, the movementof whichis controlled by a screw, not shown, governed by an arm 14. Projecting above the platel is alarge threaded boss or post 15 and engaging this threaded member is thel cylindrical depending portion 16 of the tail stock 20. The screw thread arrangement provides for vertical adjustment of the dead spindle 17 ofthe tail stock. This spindle is movable forward and backward by means of a screw, not shown, controlled by a handwheel 18.l Bolts 19 kat the two sides -of the stock 2O which carries the spindle 17 and-set bolt 21'serveto hold the stock ina fixed posis et at therequired elevation.

'Frior to the engagement of the spindle 17 with the center providedin the exposed end of the journal 22, the weight of the car and truck is relieved from the journal by means of a jack indicated at 23 in Fig. 2, the jack being of conventional form and being actuated by means of a shaft 21 extending backwardly and having a square portion 25 adapt- 90 ed to beengaged by the crank, not shown. IVhen the weight has been relieved and with the brasses 26 riding on top of the journal, the spindle 17 is adjusted to a position where its center is` slightly above the center provided r on the exposed `end of the journal. Thereafter, by rotating the hand-wheel 18 Athe spindle is projectedy forwardlyy and forced into the tapered opening constituting the center of the axle. This serves to raise 'the' wheel 27 above the track as shown Vin It will be understood that the described operations have been repeated on the opposite side of the truck; in other words, that the weight carried on the journal has been relieved as already described. Thus, by simultaneous action in projection the spindles forwardly, the wheels Vand axle are lifted sufliciently to free the tread from c ontact with the track.

Thereafter a sprocket 28, bestshown inv Figs. 1 and 2, is applied to the car axle. This sprocket is formed in two parts, eachl part being fixed to one half of a sleeve. parts 29, of the sleeve are separable and are joined in operative position around the axle by means of the `bolts 31. 'Set bolts 32, carried by the vparts 29 and 30 of the sleeve are then projected intozconztact with thel'axle to prevent rotation between the sleeve and axle. A sprocket chain 33 connects the sprocket 28 to a 'small sprocket 34 fixed to a shaft 35 that is carried vbackward through vsuitable .bean

ings 35a inFig. 3, where it` terminates in a `connection 36 to a motor 37. The showing of the connection to the motor iseonventional center andprovides foraccurateresfacing of the tread by means of the mechanism about to bedescribed. Y

In ythe drawi-ngs,I have-shown the bed plate as adapted to receive two tool heads, one right-handed and the other, left-handed, but

I have illustrated but one set of such mechanisms. It will be understood, however, that I contemplate the'provision of the double mechanism in order yto adaptthe apparatus for operation on. either side of the wheels if v desired, in order to avoid obstructions such as brake beams and brake shoes. Y

The tool head illustrated in the'rigli't hand portion of Fig. land more clearly in Fig. 3 consists of a head 38 mounted on a base that is guided on a longitudinal slide 39 and movable on said slide by a screw and handwheel 40. The slide 39 has a downwardly7 projectingstud 41 that enters a base member 42,

whereby all the parts superposed thereon are rotatable and are held in adjustable angular lposition by means lof bolts 43 which engage through ears 44 on :the -respective parts. This Aprovision is made in order vto accommodate the tool to angular positions corresponding tothe inclined tread to Ybe acted on. Y

The two` The art 42 is laterally movable on suitable slides y means of the shaft 45 and hand- Wheel 46; The parts described are carried on la base member 47 having guide flanges 48 which operate in suitable guides 49 on the base plate adapting the entire mechanism justl described to be bodily retracted out of the plane of the carjournal boxes. Y

Fixed to the tool head 38 is a bracket 50 lwhich carries a `finger 51 adapted to contact `andi-ride on a master contour or contour guide 52 fixed to a slide 53 that is controlled by a bolt 54 engagingthe base member 42. By means of this boltthe extent of cut of the tool is controlled, the contour guide being moved backward and forward. as required The tool indicated at 55 in Fig. 1 is mounted in a toolholder 5G and held by means of a bolt 57. The tool holder has its shank 57 seated-1in the tool vhead and held by means of a key 58 and a set bolt 59. A tool will be utilized having a cutting edge that will 'adapt itself .to the desired contour of the tread. Y'

As a mea-ns'for providing spring-controlled i feed for the lateral-ly and longitudinalsliding adjustments, I utilize the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, identical for 'both adjustments, consiste ing of a drum 60 mounted on a stud shaft 61 and having a handle 62. The drum contains a-coil spring'63 and has a toot'hedconnection to the pinion-64. This pinion is adapted for sliding movement on'itscshaitt into zand out of engagement with the gears. When in ,the position shown in thedrawings, the pinion engages a gear .65'on the shaft that iscont-'rol-led by the Yhand-wheels 40, 46 respectively. A pawl and ratchet .60a 'are Aprovided, for temporarily. holding thedrum before fand after feeding voperation :of the tool. By turning the drum .and tensioning the Icoil spring :and

thensliding lthe pinion 64 forward into engagement with the gears and releasing the pawl, the spring' controlled feed-may be effected as permitted bythe contour guide. c

The operationfis asfollows: n Assuming that a'car has been :placed :in sub1 stantially exact position relative to the wheel-truing machine, the jack 23 is actuated torelievethe weight of thecar and .truck from the journal 22;-.this is done at both sides .of W the truck. The tail stocks F20 'are :then projected forwardly until ythe spindles 17 extend into v:the journal box, the. coverhavingfbeen raised. The exact vertical 7position of 'the spindle is VdeterminedV by rotating the tail fw.

stock on the threaded boss. The spindle will be laterally positionedsosthat itsfpoint is in vertical alignment with the center; the elevation should be with the point-slightly above the center of the axle. In this position .the set bolts are actuated'in order 4to Ysecurely .clamp the tail stock. in operative position.-` There- Yafter the spindle is projected into thecenter, the'wed'ging action 'of the point-on vthe tapered recessI 'serving to slightly lelevate .the `wheels from the track. At this point the sprocket is applied to the axle, as indicated in Fig. 2 and the motor connected thereto in order that the wheels and axle may be rotated.

The wheels being now in position to be actuated, the cutting tool is placed in position by suitable adjustments of the tool head on the bed plate. A contour 52 is applied that will represent the desired finished contour of the tread and the parts started in motion.

By utilizing high speed cutting tools the tread may be turned comparatively quickly. Preferably the tool head will be fed by hand until the tool reaches the throat of the flange, whereupon the guide finger will be engaged by the coutour guide. Preferably, also, at that point, the spring feed of the forward travel will be put into operation, the lateral movement of the tool being controlled by the hand-wheel 46 connected to the lateral feeding mechanism. This insures that the forward movement will be controlled by the con tour guide and the depth of cut regulated thereby. lVhen the cutting tool arrives at the periphery of the wheel flange, the operation is reversed. The spring feed for the lateral control is actuated and the longitudinal movement is controlled by the handwheel 40. For a second cut the contour guide is moved inward by the bolt 54, the extent of movement controlling the depth of the cut.

After the predetermined contour has been reached, the tool head is retracted on its slideways together with the shaft 85. The sprocket wheel is disconnected, the spindle -l withdrawn and the tail stock retracted. The jack is then actuated to restore the weight of the car to the axle.

Grinding mechanism, not shown, may be substituted for or added to the turning mechanism if desired, the means for elevating and rotating the axle and wheels remaining the same.

By the described means the wheels of a car may be re-faced quickly and without the loss of time incident to removal and replacement of the wheels as commonly carried out.

I claim 1. In a device for resurfacing car wheels without removing the wheels and axle from their operative positions beneath a car, the combination of means acting through the car journal box for relieving the weight of the wie;

' car and truck from the journals, means for raising the car wheels and axle and centering the axle between supports, means cooperating with the axle for rotating the wheels, acutting tool supported on a movable tool head, a guide stem mounted thereon, means for moving said cutting tool across the tread and flange of a wheel, and a flange contour guide, said guide cooperating with the guide stem on said movable tool head whereby the cut- "i ting tool is adapted to automatically follow the contour of theflange when crossing the same'. j

2.. In ardevice for resurfacing car wheels without removingthe wheels and axle from their operative positions beneath a car,the

combination of means acting through the car journal 4box for relieving the weight of the cary and truck from the journals, means for raising the car wheels and axle and centering the axle between supports, means cooperating with the axle for rotating the wheels, a cutting tool supported on a movable tool head, va guide stem-,mounted thereon, means for moving said cutting tool across the tread andy flange of a wheel, a flange contour guide, said guide cooperating with the guide stemon said movable tool head, and means cooperating with said tool head and acting at right angles to the forward direction thereof whereby to feed said tool inward after it reaches the rim of the flange.

3. In adevice forresurfacing car wheels without removing the wheels and axle from their operative positions beneath a car, the combination of means acting through the car journal box for relieving the weight of the car and truck from the journals, means for raising the car wheels and axle and centering the axle between supports, means cooperating with the axle for rotating the wheels, a cutting tool mounted on a tool head, said tool head being movable forwardly andk transversely, means for moving said tool across said wheel tread in a predetermined path, and means cooperating with said tool head whereby said tool is adapted to automatically follow the flange contour when cutting the same.

4. In a device for resurfacing car wheels without removing the wheels and axle from their operative positions beneath a car, the combination of means acting through the car journal box for relieving the weight of the car and truck from the journals, means for raising the car wheels and axle and centering the axle between supports, means cooperating with the axle for rotating the wheels, a cutting tool mounted on a rotatably adjustable tool head, said tool head being movable forwardly and transversely, means for moving said tool across said wheel tread in a predetermined path, said path being obtained by adjusting said tool head, and means cooperating with said tool head whereby said tool is adapted to automatically follow the flange contour when cutting the same.

5. In a device for resurfacing car wheels without removing the wheels or axle from their operative position beneath a car and in which means are provided for raising .the journal box, other means acting on the journal for raising the axle and wheels and centering the axle, the combination of means for rotating the free wheels and axles, a cutting tool mounted on a rotatable tool head, means for permitting forward and transverse movement of said tol head, means' for advancing said tool in a predetermined path across the tread of theV wheel,` and means cooperating with the forwardr and transverse elements of said tool head whereby said tool is automatically carried in a path over said wheel flange corresponding to the contour thereof.

6. In a device for resurfacing car' Wheels Wthoutremoving the wheels and axle from their operative position beneath a car, the combination of means acting through the car journal box for relieving the weight of the car and truck from the journals, means for raisingrthe car wheels and axle and centering the axle between supports, a split gear adapted to be clamped to the axle, a motor for r0- tating the axle and wheels, a cutting tool, a movable tool head, and means cooperating with said tool head for progressively guiding said tool across said Wheel tread.

In testimony whereof I have aiixed my Y signature. Y

' CHARLES P. KIMMEL. 

